Question about map travel... (spoilers maybe?)

[Salty Shack]

So i'm at the point where i'm questing around Brilehaven, and i've noticed while planning out my travels there is a path i can totally avoid taking and it will save me a day.

I was wondering, in this case there is a rival gauntlet runner sitting there, would i be missing out on much by not driving by them?

And in the future would there be hidden locations or something in these unnecessary paths?

[Charsiew]

For me, I rather fight them. Extra exp and possible loot.

[Three-Headed-Monkey]

its very likely that another location will pop up later when you get another quest connecting to that "unnecessary" path

[Charsiew]

Originally posted by Charsiew:

For me, I rather fight them. Extra exp and possible loot.

However, when at late stage of game, if you saw candidate with some icon on their head, talk and challenge them in their runner to get some equipment.